Archive for the ‘5 Under $50’ Category

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we expect you’re already making plans… what you’re making, where you’ll be eating, who you’ll be eating with, and so on. Why not shake things up this year by cooking and eating entirely outside? With deep-fried turkey so popular these days, the star of the show is easy to make outside. Here are our five picks, all under $50, to get you started.

1) Thermarest Travel Cushion $29.95 Fall isn’t the friendliest time for outdoor seating (snow, mud, cold park benches), so prepare for a long time at the outdoor table by bringing along this camp cushion.

2) Platypus Platypreserve $12.95 Bring your wine deep into the woods with this collapsible Platypus wine preserver that’s air tight to keep wine good for weeks.

3) Snow Peak Spork $9.95 One of our most popular camp products, the Snow Peak titanium spork combines two strong utensils in one, and you’ll never lose it with three bright colors to choose from.

4) Snow Peak GigaPower Torch $39.95 Ignite anything with ease with this portable butane torch. Use it to set cooking fires fast, then to top off your camp creme brulee for dessert!

5) Snow Peak 3 Piece Cookware Set $49.95 This titanium camp cookware set is ultralight, with folding handles for packability. A must-have for any gourmet camp kitchen.

Shop our Camp Kitchen selection for more ideas, and watch the video below for some inspiration from the BBQ Pit Boys on deep frying your turkey. And remember, always wear your camo and/or denim when deep frying a turkey, and don’t forget the excessive manly handshakes and cackles (see at 1:33 in the video).

With Ladies Night fast approaching (this Wednesday, October 26th), I’ve picked a few items from the shop to whet your appetite for our big, one-night sale for women. Note that all prices listed below are non-sale prices, so you’ll pay a lot less if you shop with us at the store on Wednesday night.

Pair these technical glove liners with ski gloves for extra warmth, or wear them alone on trail runs. They’re soft and wicking so they’re quick to dry. Plus, they’ve got GORE Windstopper on the back of the hand to protect skin from the harsh winter elements.

Haiku by Sharon Eisenhauer bags are poetic creations of style and utility. Each bag’s pattern is slightly different, having been made from recycled fabrics. This model makes a great travel purse, fitting all your essentials plus a notepad or book.

Flaunt a tattoo this winter! This Prana longsleeve has a little edge thanks to its water-based henna tattoo design that runs from the front to the upper sleeves. And because it’s made by Prana, you can count on it lasting a lifetime.

I’m not sure what a shadow fox is, but it must look good if it inspired this North Face skirt. Corduroy stretch material keeps it casual, yet the pencil fit can take you from dancing on the weekends to work meetings on weekdays.

This colorful fedora comes in a pinkish cognac or tan (pictured above) with a beachy ribbon. Such a nice twist on the standard fedora. I like this one so much I own one in cognac!

You can’t go wrong with a classic mesh-backed trucker hat. This one keeps you cool and shaded, plus it looks great on both men and women.

This woven raffia hat is a Western take on a beach hat. Wear it out on the sand, then don it to a hoe-down. The chin string makes this cowboy hat great for bike riding and indoor/outdoor events so you can wear it on your back when you’re inside.

A cowboy hat for the active at heart, this Dorfman style is shapeable with an elastic sweatband to wick moisture. This is your classic cowboy hat without the bulk and weight.

This modern rice paddy hat is a store favorite, and great for river floaters and Burning Man attendees. It’s hard to beat the shade this hat provides, plus its closed-cell foam construction is lightweight and won’t sink if you drop it in the water.

5 Under $50is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear.

The July 4th magic happens after dark… don’t get caught out in the cold watching fireworks. Grab this classic hooded pullover to stash on your boat or in your beach bag.

Due to high fire danger in Tahoe’s dry climate, setting off your own fireworks is illegal. These light-up bouncy balls are a fun stand-in. Great for kids, dogs and even adults, these tennis ball–sized globes float, are water resistant and have replaceable batteries.

Another Fourth of July essential, this safety light clips to any pack strap, hat band or handlebar to get you home safely. Two ultra-bright white LEDs lead your way, and one red light can be used when you want to keep your night vision or to use as a bike taillight.

Nothing beats drinking out of a glass. Whether you’ve got a cocktail, beer, coffee or water to bring along, this BPA-free container can host hot or cold liquid, and is great to keep your beverage of choice concealed and protected. The bamboo outer layer protects the glass from shattering, and looks classy too!

This sea-grass mat folds out to 24 by 70 inches (pillow included) for a comfy seat or nap on the beach, then folds up into a 14-by-9-inch tote bag for the ultimate portability.

5 Under $50is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear. Happy Fourth of July everyone!

This one’s for the ladies… oh yes, we are hosting a wine/cheese/gear extravaganza for our most beautiful customers next week, so I thought I’d highlight some of our favorite products, all under $50, and all for women. If you’re in Tahoe next Thursday, you don’t want to miss this special night at our downtown Kings Beach shop. Here are the details, and you can read more on the Ladies’ Night Facebook event page:

TMS Ladies’ Night | Thursday June 9, 5 to 8pm

20% off all summer apparel and footwear
40% off all out-of-season apparel
10% off backpacks and gear

Two bikini tops in one! This halter bikini top features two patterns, one on each side of the UPF 50 fabric. Great for indecisive gals, like me!

Reusable bags are all the rage; make sure yours not only looks great but functions well. I love the Chico Sling because you can wear it over your shoulder like a messenger bag, which is great for bringing home groceries on the bike. The rePETe in its title means it’s made of 99 percent recycled content, with the bag fabric being 100 percent recycled PET, polyethylene terephthalate, the main material used in plastic drinking bottle production.

Another two-in-one, this flirty skirt doubles as a top. Add to that awesomeness the fact that it’s made from Tencel lyocell fibers, which are derived from the pulp of sustainably farmed eucalyptus trees, and this top/skirt is one of the greatest buys around.

5 Under $50is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear.

Lake Tahoe is in for some serious cycling action May 15 and 16th when the Amgen Tour of California starts its 2011 race around the lake. We’ve compiled these affordable finds to help you get in gear for the day. With the race route blocked off, we’ll be riding our bikes to get around and these accessories will help us do so safely and in style:

The race kicks off on Sunday May 15 at 10:30 am in South Lake Tahoe, then loops clockwise around the lake 1.5 times, finishing at Northstart-at-Tahoe just after 3 pm. Though all this action will happen well after and before dark, we suggest outfitting your bike with these safety lights. Keep the rear red blink light on all day for safety, then turn on the front Beamer 1 to get home from the after parties.

Kids won’t want to miss out on the fun, and this sturdy metal basket will keep all their essentials and swag from all the street vendors at hand.

This pure genius invention keeps your coffee handy for morning commutes. Race fans will be lining up early for the best course-side spots, so the Soma Morning Rush is the best bike accessory for those who need their morning java. Sunday’s start time is 10:30 am in South Lake Tahoe; Monday’s Stage 2 to Sacramento kicks off at Squaw Valley USA at 10:15 am.

At each stage’s finish line is a cycling-themed party like no other: health and fitness expo, cycling gear, family fun, food, entertainment and much more. We plan to stand out from the crowd (and get home safely) with these spoke lights from Nite Ize. Trick out your spokes in red, green, blue, disco or amber.

Stay tuned for more Amgen Tour of California details and fun. Our Kings Beach shop is course-side so we’ll definitely have a race-watching party and sale. We also just caught wind of a cool Bike Swap hosted by Biking for a Better World on Saturday May 14. More info to come!

5 Under $50is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear.

This March 26th, Tahoe Mountain Sports’ own Kevin O’Hara will vie for the Golden Saucer at the Pain McSlonkey Classic, where he’ll flaunt his freestyle skills in the Extreme Snowlerblading Small Mountain Invitational, then look to crush the competition in the Snowlerblade Chinese Downhill. This is a contest of epic proportions, so we had to dedicate this month’s 5 Under $50 blog post to outfitting Kevin for the task at hand. We thought, WWSW, What Would Shane Wear, and came up with a few ideas, all under $50 of course:

With the Who’s Who of Squaw Valley competing, nare a helmet will go without a camera. Everyone will be sure to capture that POV footage to dole out to sponsors and impress the world with the epicness that is snowlerblading. Though you can’t get the actual Contour helmet camera for under $50, you can buy a tricked-out rotating mount to best catch the action at any angle for just under $12.

Going up against the likes of Daron Rahlves, JT Holmes, Jeremy Jones and the Gaffney brothers, Kevin needs his blades to be lightning fast. While other competitors have talked of using bacon grease and old race horses to concoct magic wax potions, we suggest that Kevin sticks with the standard tune to get his snowlerblades and saucer in top shape.

Nothing says Squaw Valley steez like a slouchy beanie. We’re thinking if Kevin throws one of these over his tousled hair, and grabs a tall boy to drink outside the Chammy, that maybe just maybe Debbie Dutton will let him buy her lunch.

This extendable, ultralight snow shovel is one of the best backcountry shovels on the market, and what a great price! Packable, with an ergonomic handle, this backcountry shovel is a marvel in design.

This rub-on wax is perfect for a quick fix on the slopes when sticky snow slows your roll. It’s so small that you can keep it in your pocket, and it’s soy-based so you don’t have to breathe in any harmful fumes.

This must-have Eastern Sierra skiing guide flies off our shelves each winter, helping backcountry skiers navigate some 166 descents between Tioga Pass and Bishop Creek. And if you’re more of a resort-hound, don’t miss Squallywood, the famous guide to Squaw Valley, now on sale, at 40 percent off, for just $14.95.

With Smith’s top-of-the-line goggles hitting $165, the Smith Cascade is a steal considering it has many of the same quality features, like a thermal lens, Airflow lens technology and the proprietary Fox-X lens treatment.

5 Under $50is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear. Suggest a topic in our comments if you need some shopping help.

Don’t know what to get the lovely lady in your life this holiday? You’re in luck because Tahoe Mountain Sports’ buyer, Pam, has penned this Holiday Gift Ideas for Women guide using her trained eye in what women want, delivering you inexpensive gift ideas that are all under $50. Read on, buy, wrap and get ready to impress.

The Outdoor Research Pinball Hat looks great on every head! This soft cable knit hat has a WINDSTOPPER ear band to keep the girl on your list toasty warm and a pom pom on top so she looks cute playing in the snow.

This gift pack of 3 SmartWool socks is guaranteed to be a hit. The luxurious merino socks are all natural and moisture wicking plus they come in beautiful colors and patterns, all in a smart box that makes giving extra easy.

Brighten up your holiday with Kavu Purses under the tree. The Kavu Keeper is one of our bestselling bags, made of durable cotton canvas with 4 organizer pockets and an adjustable strap. These fun bags come in lots of bright, bold patterns. You’ll like it so much you’ll wish you had ordered one for yourself!

A classic black leather belt from Lole makes a great stocking stuffer or is perfect for the office gift exchange. The Lole Alexis Belt is 100-percent leather with contrast stitching and a stylish silver buckle. This is sure to please even the pickiest girl on your list.

Give the gift of light with a headlamp! This great gift is also super practical. From camping to emergency roadside repairs, every gal needs a headlamp. We recommend the Black Diamond Moxie, loaded with features like 3 brightness settings and an adjustable head. Plus it comes in fun, feminine graphics at a price that fits your budget.

If you’re anything like me, you’re in dire need of gifts for men who have everything. These practical, functional, inexpensive gifts for men are sure to jumpstart your holiday shopping for any guy on your list.

This flexible camera tripod is the perfect gift for outdoor photographers as it grips and clings to just about anything, including tree branches and tent poles, and can adjust to uneven surfaces. The aspiring photographer in your life will love this portable, functional gift! If your guy’s not a man of the lens, treat him to one of our many other electronics, like helmet cameras, headlamps or avalanche beacons.

Not sure what he needs to stay warm? Get him 3 accessories in one with this shape-changer. Since he can wear it as a neck gaiter, face mask or hat, it’s perfect for a day on the slopes or simply staying warm at the stadium. If he’s more into high endurance winter sports or backcountry pursuits, try the Outdoor Research Radiant Hybrid Beanie.

Forget that dress shirt… give him a shirt he’ll have fun in! This performance mens base layer can take him from camp to summit as its the warmest base layer in the popular Terramar Body Sensors line, yet quick to dry with innovative wicking via electrostatic evaporation.

These lightweight, windproof gloves are nimble so he can work, ski and play without sacrificing dexterity. These make great spring skiing gloves or an extra pair for keeping in the car. If he needs a beefier option, check out our full line of men’s gloves and mittens.

These ultimate moisture wicking boxer briefs make great stocking stuffers, and will keep him cool and dry no matter the season. And if you want to make him just as happy on the outside, outfit him with more Patagonia! See our full Patagonia Men’s Clothing selection for more gifts for men.

5 Under $50 is a monthly Tahoe Mountain Sports blog series dedicated to showcasing some of our more affordable products. Each month we pick a theme, then show you the gear. Suggest a topic in our comments if you need some shopping help, and check out more inexpensive gifts for men in our Gift Ideas section.